| It is an accepted fact that the Christmas tree | | | | like tinsel instead of green foliage. |
| tradition is one that was brought to the shores of | | | | An important ceremony related to the Christmas |
| America by German immigrants who continued a | | | | tree that gains national attention during the |
| practice that was popular in their former | | | | Christmas season is the lighting of the National |
| homeland. Today, a Christmas tree, even a | | | | Christmas Tree at the White House. This tradition |
| miniature one, is present in just about every | | | | can be credited to President Calvin Coolidge who |
| home at Christmas. It is therefore interesting to | | | | lit the first decorated Christmas tree outside at |
| note some little-know facts about the Christmas | | | | the White House in 1923. |
| Tree and other traditions related to Christmas. | | | | The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has |
| The first interesting fact is the source of real | | | | also been used to convey some symbolic |
| Christmas Trees for some Americans. These can | | | | meaning not related to Christmas. It was not |
| be bought at a Christmas Tree Farm or at many | | | | lighted until Dec. 22 in 1963 because of a national |
| local stores and other places of business in just | | | | mourning period of 30 days for the assassination |
| about every town and city across the country | | | | of President Kennedy. And while Teddy Roosevelt |
| around Christmas time. But according to the | | | | was President he gave an order that banned the |
| National Christmas Tree Association, Americans | | | | Christmas tree from the White House, not for |
| buy about 330,000 Christmas trees that are real | | | | the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, |
| through e-commerce or from a catalogue and | | | | which caused him to become president, but for |
| have them shipped by mail-order. | | | | reasons related to the environment. |
| The scent of real Christmas trees is the reason | | | | Also of note is that when the National Christmas |
| they are so popular. But as they stand silently in | | | | Tree was lighted on Dec. 13 in 1984, |
| their decorative wonder, they also are providing | | | | temperatures were in the 70s during an unusually |
| another benefit. The Christmas Tree Association | | | | warm December. Christmas has been celebrated |
| says the amount of oxygen produced on a daily | | | | in the United States since the 1600s although it |
| basis by one acre of Christmas tree is enough to | | | | wasn't always very popular. It took more than |
| provide enough oxygen for 18 people. And during | | | | two centuries into the mid-late 1860s for |
| the first week, a Christmas Tree at home will use | | | | Christmas to become a popular holiday season all |
| up to one quart of water each day to help retain | | | | across America. |
| its longevity for the many days of Christmas. | | | | So maybe the rest of the country owes the |
| Since Christmas celebrations gained popularity in | | | | holiday of Christmas Day to the state of |
| America, the Christmas Tree has always been a | | | | Alabama, which in 1836 became the first state to |
| big tradition. During the 1950s however, artificial | | | | declare Dec. 25 a legalholiday. It is interesting to |
| Christmas trees were not always green. It was | | | | note that on Christmas Day of 1789 Congress |
| very popular during those times to have artificial | | | | was in session. And to show how far ahead of |
| trees with other colors such as silver, pink and | | | | the game Alabama was, it wasn't until June 26, |
| aqua. The appeal in having these colored | | | | 1870 that the federal government declared |
| Christmas trees may have been due to the fact | | | | Christmas as a federal holiday. |
| that they looked shiny and bright and appeared | | | | |